Ongoing downpours to exacerbate flooding in south

"The more people we have, the greater strength we boast," she noted.

E Jingping, deputy head of the State Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters, has demanded all-out efforts to enhance precautionary measures to cope with the situation.

"Local authorities should give priority to ratchet up precautionary measures in medium and small-sized rivers in their flood control work," said E, also minister of Water Resources.

"Considering the comparatively weak flood control capabilities in these rivers and the possible occurrences of sharp and abrupt increases in their water levels, patrols should be intensified in key and vulnerable sections."

Aside from enhancing early warning for mountain torrents, he also asked for better coordination between water conservancy projects so they can fully play their roles in stopping and storing floodwaters.

According to the ministry, it has dispatched teams to each of the six most affected provincial regions, including Hunan and Guizhou, to facilitate local governments' efforts in flood control.

The Ministry of Emergency Management said on Tuesday that a team headed by Vice-Minister Zheng Guoguang has concluded a five-day inspection tour on flood control in Jiangxi and Hunan provinces.

"We have been at a critical moment for flood control in the Yangtze River Basin," Zheng noted.

People threatened by floods should be evacuated in advance, and both rescue forces and materials should be coordinated and dispatched in a timely manner, he stressed during the tour.

Yang Jun in Guiyang contributed to this story.